How to Install VLC Media Player on Ubuntu 20.04

Sk Rafikul Islam -

Choose a different version or distribution

Introduction

Before we begin talking about how to install VLC Media Player on Ubuntu 20.04, let's briefly understand – What is VLC Media Player?

VLC Media Player is a versatile and popular software used to play various multimedia files on computers and mobile devices. It supports a wide range of audio and video formats, making it a go-to choice for users worldwide.

With its user-friendly interface and extensive features, VLC Media Player allows seamless playback, including DVD and Blu-ray discs, online streams, and even damaged or incomplete files. Its cross-platform compatibility and open-source nature make it a reliable and free solution for enjoying media content effortlessly.

In this tutorial, we will describe how to install the VLC media player on Ubuntu 20.04.

Advantages of VLC Media Player

  1. Versatile Format Support: VLC Media Player can play almost any audio or video format, eliminating the need for additional codecs.
  2. Cross-Platform Compatibility: It works seamlessly on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile platforms, providing a consistent experience across devices.
  3. Streamlined Playback: VLC Media Player handles damaged, incomplete, or partially downloaded files without interruptions.
  4. DVD and Blu-ray Support: It can play DVDs and Blu-ray discs, including menus and chapters, offering a complete media experience.
  5. Open-Source and Free: VLC Media Player is free to download, use, and distribute, thanks to its open-source nature, making it accessible to all users.

Install VLC Media Player as a Snap Package

Snaps are complete software packages that include the binaries and all necessary dependencies to launch a program. Snaps have a bigger disc footprint and a slower startup time for applications than regular deb packages. The most recent security updates and important bug fixes are often added to the VLC snap packages.

Snap packages may be set up using either the Ubuntu Software program or the command line.

Open your terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type the following command to install VLC:

sudo snap install vlc

You may use VLC now that it has been installed on your Ubuntu desktop.
The VLC snap package will be automatically updated in the background each time a new version is made available.

Open Ubuntu Software, do a search for “VLC,” and install the program if you are not comfortable using the command line.

Installing VLC with apt

The deb package that is part of the official Ubuntu 20.04 repositories may not be up-to-date with the most recent VLC.

Run the following commands in your terminal as a user with sudo permissions:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install vlc

You may upgrade VLC using the command line or your desktop Software Update application when a new version is published.

Starting VLC

Enter “VLC” in the Activities search box, then click the VLC symbol to open the program.

A window similar to the one below will show up when you launch the player for the first time:

Set VLC as the Default Media Player

Open the Activities panel, look for “Default Applications,” and choose it to make VLC the default media player.

Choose “VLC Media Player” from the Music and Videos dropdowns when the “Default Applications” dialogue appears:

FAQs to Install VLC Media Player on Ubuntu 20.04

Can I install VLC Media Player using the Ubuntu Software Center?

Yes, you can open the Ubuntu Software Center, search for VLC, and click on the Install button to install VLC Media Player on Ubuntu 20.04.

Are there any additional codecs required for VLC on Ubuntu 20.04?

No, VLC comes with its built-in codecs, so you don't need to install any additional codecs to play most audio and video formats.

How do I update VLC Media Player on Ubuntu 20.04?

To update VLC, open the Terminal and run sudo apt update followed by sudo apt upgrade vlc command. It will update VLC to the latest version available in the Ubuntu repositories.

Can I play DVDs and Blu-ray discs with VLC on Ubuntu 20.04?

Yes, VLC Media Player supports DVD and Blu-ray playback on Ubuntu 20.04. Just insert the disc, and VLC will automatically detect and play it.

Does VLC Media Player have a graphical user interface (GUI) on Ubuntu 20.04?

Yes, VLC comes with a user-friendly GUI by default. You can access it by searching for "VLC" in the Applications menu or by launching it from the terminal.

Can I stream online videos with VLC on Ubuntu 20.04?

Absolutely! VLC Media Player allows you to stream online videos by opening the Media menu, selecting Open Network Stream, and entering the URL of the video you want to stream.

Is VLC Media Player available in languages other than English on Ubuntu 20.04?

Yes, VLC is available in multiple languages. You can change the language by going to Tools, selecting Preferences, and then choosing your preferred language from the Interface section.

Can VLC Media Player play 4K or Ultra HD videos on Ubuntu 20.04?

Yes, VLC supports 4K and Ultra HD video playback on Ubuntu 20.04. It utilizes hardware acceleration to ensure smooth playback of high-resolution videos.

Conclusion

You now know how to install VLC on your desktop running Ubuntu 20.04. Now that you've learned how to use your new media player, you can start streaming videos or listening to your favourite music.

If you have any queries, please leave a comment below, and we’ll be happy to respond to them.